Latest news with #NualaWard
Irish Times
4 days ago
- Health
- Irish Times
Child homelessness a ‘national shame', TDs and Senators told
Child homelessness is a 'national shame' and those affected cannot be given their childhoods back, TDs and Senators have been told. The remarks were made by Nuala Ward, the director of investigations at the office of the Ombudsman for Children during an appearance at the Oireachtas Housing Committee on Tuesday. The committee met to examine the challenges to tackling homelessness Of the 15,580 homeless people living in emergency accommodation in April, 4,775 were children. READ MORE A statement submitted to the committee by Ombudsman for Children Dr Niall Muldoon said children have 'borne the biggest brunt' of the homelessness crisis. Mr Muldoon said: 'The impact of homelessness and unstable living conditions on children is catastrophic' and it 'affects every aspect of their lives; education, wellbeing, self-development'. During the meeting, Social Democrats TD Rory Hearne asked the representatives of the Ombudsman's office if they 'see a future requirement for a redress scheme for children who've been through homelessness, given that the State is failing to protect them'. Ms Ward described the situation as 'a national shame', adding that 'we have children in this country growing up, not just for a few months, but growing up in B&Bs and hotels and we're paying State money to private providers for this type of accommodation that is having a devastating impact on children.' She described them sitting in bathrooms trying to be quiet while their mother is putting a sibling to bed. 'We've got children who are devastated because their pet dog or their hamster is not allowed in family hubs,' she said. 'They've had to leave them behind with granny or leaving behind with the auntie. Can you imagine that?' She said the most important point heard repeatedly from children related to growing up in poverty. Ms Ward said: 'I'm not sure if anybody here has grown up in any state of poverty, or can remember being deeply ashamed of not having something or being known that you're poor ... that there's something different to you from your peers. 'That shame doesn't leave you and that's what we're doing to children. 'So should there be a Redress Scheme? Can you give children back their childhoods? No, we can't. So that would be what our view would be on this.' Sinn Féin TD Eoin Ó Broin later said it was 'hard not to feel utterly depressed' at 'yet another housing committee meeting having the same conversation'. He said the number of children in emergency accommodation has increased by 442 per cent in a decade. 'I know numbers don't convey, Nuala, the points that you made. I understand that completely,' he said. 'But thousands upon thousands upon thousands of children have been forced into long-term stays in emergency accommodation during that period.'
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Contributions of Inverclyde's sports volunteers recognised at Greenock Town Hall bash
PEOPLE who give up their time to help promote and encourage sport and physical activity across Inverclyde have been honoured. Inverclyde Council's active schools/sports development service, which is part-funded by Sportscotland, held the annual Volunteer Awards in Greenock Town Hall on Wednesday, June 4. Advertisement During the 2024/25 school term from August to Easter, 356 volunteers helped deliver 3,059 hours of activity across the active schools programme, supporting 4,828 young people. The awards evening highlighted and recognised the hard work of volunteers during 2024/25 in Inverclyde across five categories: School Staff Volunteer of the Year, Community Sports Hub (CSH) Volunteer of the Year, Sports Leader of the Year, Young Volunteer of the Year and the overall Volunteer of the Year. (Image: George Munro) All nominees were presented with certificates of achievement along with all successful participants in the Sports Leaders programme from the last academic year. Helen Cunningham was given the award for Volunteer of the Year by Provost Drew McKenzie, while Sports Leader of the Year was presented to Laila Davidson of St Columba's High School by Councillor Jim Clocherty. Advertisement Councillor Natasha McGuire presented the Young Volunteer of the Year to Nuala Ward and Councillor Elizabeth Robertson gave the CSH Volunteer of the Year award to Kay Cooke of Inverclyde Athletic Club. The last award, the School Staff Volunteer of the Year, was given to Clydeview Academy's Lynne McKerlie by Councillor Stephen McCabe. Councillor Jim Clocherty, Inverclyde Council's convener of education and communities, said: 'It was a fabulous event and so inspiring to meet volunteers and hear how about the vital role they play in our schools and in our communities providing sport and physical activity opportunities for our young people. 'Volunteers themselves also get so much from volunteering by learning an array of skills and forming so many enduring friendships, which aids their own personal and professional development. Advertisement 'They deserve a huge amount of credit for the important work they do encouraging and inspiring young people to enjoy sport and physical activity and reap the rewards of being active citizens. 'Well done to all the winners, finalists and to our active schools service and partners for organising such an uplifting and inspiring event showcasing the very best of Inverclyde.' (Image: George Munro) The event was hosted by previous Young Ambassadors Kate Ferguson and Erin Law. They were joined on stage by Sportscotland partnership manager Cara Shearer, who spoke about the 'Power of Volunteers', while Provost McKenzie gave the closing remarks. Advertisement Chief Executive of sportscotland, Forbes Dunlop, said: 'A huge congratulations to all the winners at the Inverclyde Active Schools Volunteer Awards ceremony. 'Every year there are people across the country who give so much of their time and dedication to Scottish sport and through this are making a real impact on their sport and their community. 'The active schools programme has been an integral part of Scotland's sporting system and for so many it is where their sporting journey begins and has provided opportunities that many may not have had otherwise. 'The volunteers honoured at last night's awards are a perfect example of those who have dedicated a huge amount of their time to helping others realise their sporting potential.' To find out about volunteering opportunities with active schools, contact active schools coordinator Brad Cathie by emailing
